Former Saints Player Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution Charges

Former Saints Player Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution Charges

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite, announced that DARREN SHARPER, age 40, formerly of New Orleans, pled guilty today to Conspiracy to Distribute Alprazolam, Diazepam and Zolpidem with intent to commit rape and two counts of distributing these substances with intent to commit rape. The maximum punishments for these offenses are as follows:

COUNT

CHARGE

MAXIMUM PENALTIES

4

21 U.S.C. 846; Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule IV Controlled Substance with the intent to commit a crime of violence

20 Years, $250,000 Fine, NLT 1 Year Supervised Release.

5

21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1),(b)(1)(D) & (E)(7)(B); Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Schedule IV with the intent to commit a crime of violence

20 Years, $250,000 Fine, NLT 1 Year Supervised Release.

6

21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1),(b)(1)(D) & (E)(7)(B); Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Schedule IV with the intent to commit a crime of violence

20 Years, $250,000 Fine, NLT 1 Year Supervised Release.

SHARPER is a former member of the New Orleans Saints and is presently in custody. He has previously pled guilty to similar charges in Los Angeles and Phoenix. He is also charged in Orleans Parish District Court. His plea today was part of a global resolution of the charges against him. In the factual basis filed during the guilty pleas, SHARPER admitted that he and others distributed controlled substances to unsuspecting women and then had sexual relations with them while they were incapacitated. He also admitted that he conspired with other persons in committing these offenses. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing in this matter for August 20, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

Former St Bernard Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Licciardi is awaiting trial on the same charges as well as charges of Witness Tampering and Impeding an Official Proceeding.

U.S. Attorney Polite thanked the victims for their courage and willingness to come forward.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter and thanked District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro and Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office for their invaluable assistance. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also assisted in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark A. Miller and Michael E. McMahon are in charge of the prosecution.